another caliper question..........
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 18
From: Florida
another caliper question..........
is it possible to run fronts on the back? i seem to remember someone commenting that if you had much bigger tires in the rear you could take advantage of more clamp force from bigger pistons. does anyone have any knowledge to this ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I've never tried to fit them, but if you put bigger pistons back there, you will need to re-proportion your front/rear brake bias to re-balance the system, so you'd need to install a quality adjustable proportioning valve. Then, identifying proper adjustment will require advanced driving skills, as the necessary experimentation phase not only calls for above average sensitivity and judgement, but can be risky business as well.
Unless you have much larger tires on the rear, the stock rear calipers should be supplying adequate clamping force, but regardless of tire size, and whether or not you choose to modify your system, you don't want to increase braking forces at the rear to a point where you make the car unstable (the exception being at the track when you're trying to help the car rotate at corner entry by trail braking).
Unless you have much larger tires on the rear, the stock rear calipers should be supplying adequate clamping force, but regardless of tire size, and whether or not you choose to modify your system, you don't want to increase braking forces at the rear to a point where you make the car unstable (the exception being at the track when you're trying to help the car rotate at corner entry by trail braking).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 18
From: Florida
I have rear flares and 295/35/18 on the rear(still doesn't fill the wheel well!) and 245/40/18 in the front, i believe that suspension was of concern as well........maybe limiting dive with stiffer shock/spring combo? I thought corvette engineering said he had a kit with bigger rear pistons, but the web site doesnt say.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you're concerned about dive under hard braking, a higher spring rate up front is in order, as "stiffer" shocks will only slow down (not limit) weight transfer. ...and if you raise the spring rate up front, you may find that the rear spring rate may likely need to be increased to keep the car's balance from shifting to excessive understeer.
Have you lowered your shark?
Have you lowered your shark?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 18
From: Florida
No, not yet........ the suspension needs to be rebuilt from front to back. Lowering is in the plan, 1 inch and 2 if there is no ground clearance issues. I was only inquiring because i will be ordering calipers this week and i dont have a problem with paying a little more or sorting a proportioning valve out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Be sure to have a good talk with who ever your getting your brakes system from, especially if you stray very far off the regular menu. They should know exactly what pieces work best together.
You may want to look over the Chevy Power Book Corvette (C3) Chassis section. If you can't find a copy, you can view it at http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ChevyPower.pdf. Be glad to help walk you though setting up your ride height.
You may want to look over the Chevy Power Book Corvette (C3) Chassis section. If you can't find a copy, you can view it at http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ChevyPower.pdf. Be glad to help walk you though setting up your ride height.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Why are you looking for more clamping force from the rear brakes? Have you moved the bias to the rear and now cannot lock the brakes? Have you installed aggresive racing pads on your vette? Are you running slicks? Are you road racing? What does your car weigh? Do you suffer from bump steer variation under braking?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 18
From: Florida
No, please dont misunderstand, i was only curious........ as i mentioned earlier my back tires are a good bit wider than the front. The suspension is tired, and i would like to see some track time by the end of the summer. I havent been able to find the thread that this was mentioned in nor do i remember who said it, i was just interested in this possibility.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,847
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I mentioned a friend of mine who put front calipers on the rear of his IMSA car. This car had an improved weight distribution (less front weight), massive rear tires, and a good sized rear spoiler to add a little more rear downforce. I also speculated that he had an adjustable proportioning valve in the car to tweak things.
While this setup works on a pure race car (where all the traffic is going the same direction in case there is a spin under braking
), it seems unnecessary and probably unwise to put equal size caliper piston area on all four corners.
Just my opinion.
While this setup works on a pure race car (where all the traffic is going the same direction in case there is a spin under braking
), it seems unnecessary and probably unwise to put equal size caliper piston area on all four corners.Just my opinion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Question is WILL the front cals FIT on the back (I'm talking 76)...I may have to replace the rear cals and I have a pair of new front cals in the trunk of the GT...sure would like to put them to use if possible...the vert is a DD...opinions??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
The answer is no. They wont fit. Not without serious modificataions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
